Longitudinal activation of integral cover for lint removal tool

ABSTRACT

Lint removal tool including a handle, an inner assembly rotatably attached to the handle, and an outer cover translationally attached to the handle. The handle has a free end and a connecting end. The inner assembly rotates around an axis of the handle when the handle is longitudinally activated between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the outer cover.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to lint removal tools. In particular, the present invention is a lint removal tool having a cover. Test

BACKGROUND

Lint removal tools are commonly used for removing lint, pet hair, and other small particles from fabric, such as clothing and upholstery. Lint removal tools are generally used in roll form, in which lint removal tape is typically wound on a core with the adhesive side of the tape wound outwardly for use. A roll of lint removal tape can be placed on an applicator, which is typically formed of a handle portion and a tape-receiving portion. The roll is placed on the tape-receiving portion. Various forms of lint removal tape rolls are known, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,027,465 and 5,388,300. Examples include Scotch-Brite™ Standard Lint Roller and Scotch-Brite™ 50% Stickier Lint Roller, available from 3M Company located in Saint Paul, Minn.

In use, the lint removal tool is rolled along the surface to be cleaned such that lint and other loose debris becomes attached to the exposed adhesive of the lint removal tape. Once the exposed adhesive of the lint removal tape is covered with sufficient lint and debris such that the lint removal tool is no longer removing a desired amount of lint or debris, the exposed adhesive is removed from the roll and discarded. Removal of the used lint removal tape results in newly exposed adhesive.

Because the adhesive side of the lint removal tape is wound outwardly on the roll, the lint removal tape can become unintentionally contaminated with lint and other debris when not in use. One solution to protect the lint removal tape of the lint removal tool when not in use has been to use a detachable cover or caddy.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present invention is a lint removal tool including a handle, an inner assembly rotatably attached to the handle, and an outer cover translationally attached to the handle. The handle has a free end and a connecting end. The inner assembly rotates around an axis of the handle when the handle is longitudinally activated between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the outer cover.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a lint removal tool including a handle, an inner core, a sleeve, and a housing having an inner cover and an outer cover. The outer cover is fixed relative to the handle. The inner cover rotates around an axis of the handle when the handle is longitudinally activated between an extended position and a retracted position.

The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lint roller tool of the present invention in an extended position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lint roller tool of FIG. 1 in a retracted position.

FIG. 3A is a perspective side view of an embodiment of a handle of the lint roller tool of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a perspective front view of an embodiment of a handle of the lint roller tool of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an outer cover of the lint roller tool of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective exterior view of an embodiment of an inner cover of the lint roller tool of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a perspective interior view of an embodiment of an inner cover of the lint roller tool of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inner core of the lint roller tool of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a receiving end of the inner core of the lint roller tool of the present invention.

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the inner core of the lint roller tool of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a receiving end of an embodiment of a sleeve of the lint roller tool of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a connecting end of an embodiment of a sleeve of the lint roller tool of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the lint removal tool of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the handle of the lint removal tool of the present invention in an extended position and a housing of the lint removal tool of the present invention in an open position.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the handle of the lint removal tool of the present invention in a retracted position and the housing of the lint removal tool of the present invention in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a lint roller tool having an attached housing. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the lint roller tool in an extended position. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the lint roller tool generally includes a handle, an inner assembly rotatably attached to the handle, and the housing. The handle is positionable between an extended position relative to the housing, as shown in FIG. 1, and a retracted position, as shown in FIG. 2. In practice, the lint roller tool includes a roll of lint removal tape positioned on the inner assembly that is used to remove lint and other debris from a surface using exposed adhesive on the lint removal tape. The housing functions as a cover and protects the exposed adhesive when the lint roller tool is not in use. When the lint roller tool is to be used, the handle is in the extended position (FIG. 1) with the housing in an open position to expose the lint removal tape. When the lint removal tool is being stored, the handle is retracted, causing the housing to rotate 180 degrees to the retracted position (FIG. 2) and so that the lint removal tape is covered and protected from debris.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a perspective side view and a perspective front view, respectively, of the handle of the lint removal tool of the present invention. The handle of the lint removal tool has a free end and a connecting end. The free end allows a user to comfortably grasp the lint removal tool. The handle can have any shape and can be contoured to ergo-dynamically fit a hand but is generally non-cylindrical in shape. As will be described further below, the non-cylindrical handle shape is mirrored by a non-cylindrical hole in the outer cover that the handle passes through. The free end of the handle includes a slot (shown in FIG. 3B) that runs along a portion of the length of the free end of the handle. The slot includes a first notch proximate the free end of the handle and a second notch proximate the connecting end of the handle. The notches are designed to engage with a protrusion in the outer cover to maintain the handle in the extended and retracted positions. In one embodiment, the free end of the handle includes an opening to permit, for example, hanging the lint removal tool on a hook for storage.

The connecting end of the handle is rotatably attached to the inner assembly, allowing the handle to function as an actuator to move the housing between an open position and a closed position. When the handle is in the extended position, the housing is in the open position with the lint removal tape positioned on the inner assembly exposed and ready for use. When the handle is in the retracted position, the housing is in the closed position with the lint removal tape covered and protected from the elements. While the free end of the handle generally has an ergo-dynamic shape, the connecting end is generally cylindrical. The connecting end also includes a plurality of pins extending perpendicularly from a connecting edge. The plurality of pins are generally spaced equ-distant from adjacent pins along the connecting edge. In one embodiment, the connecting edge includes four pins.

The housing includes an outer cover and an inner cover. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the outer cover. The outer cover has a diameter larger than a diameter of the inner cover such that the inner cover can nest within the outer cover when the housing is in the open position. When assembled, there is a gap between the inner cover and the outer cover to allow for smooth movement between open and closed positions. In one embodiment, the gap between the inner and outer covers is about 0.4 mm. The outer cover includes a receiving end, a wall, and a stem. The receiving end is non-circular in shape, forming an outer, semi-circular edge and an inner, curved edge. The wall extends perpendicularly from the outer, semi-circular edge of the receiving end of the outer wall. In one embodiment, the wall extends along about 40% to about 60% of the outer edge of the receiving end of the outer cover, and particularly along about 45% to about 55% of the outer edge of the receiving end of the outer cover. In one embodiment, the wall extends about 40 mm from the receiving end, particularly about 60 mm, and more particularly about 80 mm from the receiving end. In one embodiment, the outer cover has a diameter of between about 25 mm and about 1000, and particularly about 75 mm.

The stem of the outer cover is generally cylindrically shaped and is hollow, extending from substantially a center of the receiving end of the outer cover. The stem thus creates an inner diameter for the outer cover. In one embodiment, the stem creates an inner diameter of between about 25 mm and about 50 mm, and particularly about 35 mm. The stem includes an aperture at an inner wall, also creating a latching surface on the stem. While the stem is generally cylindrically shaped, the hole created by the stem at the receiving end of the outer cover is not generally cylindrically shaped. The hole at the receiving end of the outer cover is shaped to match and receive the free end of the handle. This allows the handle and outer cover to be fixed in rotation but free in translation. The outer cover is thus translationally attached to the handle as the handle moves between the extended and retracted positions. The hole at the receiving end of the outer cover also includes a protrusion that engages the slot of the handle to help maintain the handle in the extended and retracted positions. The outer cover is formed of a material that has sufficient strength to function as a thin housing. The outer cover can be formed of, for example, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene, or a polycarbonate/ABS blend.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a perspective exterior view and a perspective interior view, respectively, of the inner cover. The inner cover includes a receiving end and a wall. Similar to the outer cover, the receiving end is non-circular in shape, forming an outer, semi-circular edge and an inner, curved edge. In one embodiment, the wall extends along about 40% to about 60% of the outer edge of the receiving end of the outer cover, and particularly along about 45% to about 55% of the outer edge of the receiving end of the outer cover. The wall extends perpendicularly from the outer, semi-circular edge of the receiving end of the outer wall to a height substantially similar to the height of the outer cover. In one embodiment, the wall extends between about 40 mm and about 80 mm from the receiving end, and particularly about 60 mm from the receiving end. The receiving end of the inner cover also includes a hole having a notch. The hole creates an inner diameter and has a diameter larger than the diameter of the stem of the outer cover. In one embodiment, the hole creates an inner diameter of between about 35 mm and about 55 mm, and particularly about 45 mm. The inner cover also includes a plurality of ridges extending along a width of the inner cover. The plurality of ridges are designed to prevent the exposed adhesive of the roll of lint removal tape from adhering to the inner cover, facilitating smooth movement of the housing between the open and closed positions. The inner cover is formed of a material that is capable of being ultrasonically welded. In one embodiment, the inner cover can be formed of, for example, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene, or a polycarbonate/ABS blend.

The inner assembly of the lint removal tool includes the inner cover, an inner core, and a sleeve. A perspective view of the inner core is shown in FIG. 6A and a perspective view of a receiving end of the inner core is shown in FIG. 6B. A cross-sectional view of the inner core is shown in FIG. 6C. The inner core is cylindrical, having a top portion and a receiving portion. The top portion includes a top end and the receiving portion includes a receiving end. The inner core is hollow with the receiving end being open. The top end may be covered or open without departing from the intended scope of the present invention. Generally, the inner core is formed of the same or similar material as the inner cover so that they can be welded together.

The receiving portion of the inner core includes an outer edge, an aperture, a plurality of cut outs, and a flange. The aperture is located proximate the outer edge of the receiving end and aligns with a latch on the sleeve when the inner assembly is assembled. The plurality of cut outs are positioned along the entire outer edge of the receiving end. Although the figures depict the cut outs being generally equally spaced around the outer edge of the receiving end, any pattern or random cut outs can be used without departing from the intended scope of the present invention. The receiving end also includes a flange extending perpendicularly along the outer edge of the receiving end and is positioned between the cut outs and the aperture. In one embodiment, the flange is located between about 2 mm and about 4 mm from the outer edge of the receiving end, and particularly between about 3 mm. The receiving portion of the inner core has an inner diameter slightly larger than an inner diameter of the top portion of the inner core and has a thickness similar to a thickness of a wall of the sleeve, discussed below.

The top portion of the inner core includes a plurality of ridges forming a plurality of helixes running along the length of the inner diameter of the top portion, as can be seen in FIG. 6C. In one embodiment, the top portion includes four helixes running along the inner diameter. The helixes are designed to engage with the pins of the handle and function as a guide to rotate the inner assembly as the handle moves between the extended and retracted positions.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show a perspective view of a receiving end and a perspective view of a connecting end, respectively, of the sleeve. The sleeve is cylindrical in shape and includes a top end, a receiving end, and a latch. The sleeve is hollow with the top end and the receiving end being open. The receiving end of the sleeve includes a plurality of tabs extending perpendicularly from the wall of the sleeve along the outer diameter adjacent to an outer edge of the receiving end. The plurality of tabs are designed and spaced to align with the cut outs of the receiving end of the inner core. While the majority of the tabs are positioned adjacent to the outer edge of the receiving end, that is, slightly set back from the outer edge, at least one tab is a positioning tab and extends all the way to the outer edge of the receiving end. The positioning tab is used to properly align the inner core and the sleeve with the inner cover. In one embodiment, the tabs are located between about 1 mm and about 2 mm from the outer edge of the receiving end, particularly between about 0.5 mm and about 3 mm.

The sleeve is positioned within the receiving portion of the inner core and has a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the receiving portion of the inner core and generally equal to the inner diameter of the top portion of the inner core. Because the thickness of the wall of the sleeve is substantially equal to the difference in the inner diameters of the top portion and the receiving portion of the inner core, when the sleeve is positioned within the inner core, the inner diameter of the inner assembly is substantially the same throughout. The sleeve is positioned within the receiving portion of the inner core such that the top end of the sleeve is closest the top end of the inner core and the latch is aligned with the aperture of the inner core. In addition, when properly positioned, the tabs at the receiving end of the sleeve fit within the cut outs of the receiving end of the inner core such that the sleeve is mechanically attached to the inner core. The sleeve is formed of a material having low friction. In one embodiment, the sleeve is formed of, for example, acetal, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene, or a polycarbonate/ABS blend.

Once the sleeve is positioned within the inner core, the receiving end of the inner core is positioned within the opening at the receiving end of the inner cover such that the positioning tab at the receiving end of the sleeve fits within the notch of the hole of the receiving end of the inner cover. When the inner core and sleeve are properly positioned within the hole of the inner cover, the aperture and latch of the inner core and the sleeve, respectively, are aligned with each other and opposite the wall of the inner cover. The inner cover is designed to have a diameter between about 44 mm and about 0.4 mm larger, particularly between about 35 mm and about 0.2 mm, and more particularly between about 25 mm and about 0.1 mm larger than the diameter of the inner core so that when they are assembled, there is a gap between the inner core and the inner cover. The gap is designed to allow a roll of lint removal tape to be positioned on the inner core. Once the inner core and sleeve are mounted on the inner cover, the inner cover and the inner core are welded together to form a single unit. The inner cover and the inner core can be welded together by any means known in the art, including, but not limited to, ultrasonic welding or solvent welding. In one embodiment, the inner cover and the inner core are ultrasonically welded together. Once assembled, the inner core, the sleeve, and the inner core form the inner assembly.

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the lint removal tool of the present invention. To assemble the lint roller tool, the connecting end of the handle is positioned within the receiving ends of the inner core and the sleeve, now part of the inner assembly. The connecting end of the handle is inserted within the inner core such that the plurality of pins of the handle line up with the plurality of ridges forming the helixes within the inner core. Thus, when aligned, the inner assembly rotates around the axis of the handle as the handle is inserted into the inner core and the connecting end approaches the top end of the inner core.

Once the handle is connected to the inner assembly, the outer cover is assembled onto the handle. To assemble the outer cover onto the handle, the hole at the receiving end of the outer cover is inserted at the free end of the handle and slid along the handle until the receiving end of the outer cover abuts the receiving end of the inner cover. Together, the inner cover and the outer cover form the housing to protect the lint removal tape positioned on the inner core when the lint removal tool is not in use. When fully inserted, the latching surface of the stem of the outer cover engages the latch of the sleeve, which prevents the inner assembly and outer cover from rotating axially from each other as the handle moves between the extended and retracted positions. In addition, because the shape of the free end of the handle matches the hole of the outer cover, the outer cover is prevented from rotating as the handle move between the extended and retracted positions.

When assembled, the outer cover of the housing is rotationally fixed relative to the handle while the inner cover, along with the entire inner assembly, rotates around an axis of the handle when the handle is longitudinally activated between the extended position and the retracted position. In use, the user holds the outer cover with one hand and pulls or pushes the handle longitudinally with respect to the outer cover to either extend or retract the handle, respectively. As the handle is moved longitudinally, the internal helixes within the inner core interfaces with the pins on the handle to cause rotation as the handle is pushed or pulled with respect to the outer cover.

Generally, the thickness of the walls of the outer cover, the inner cover, the inner core and the sleeve should be thick enough to ensure a durable lint removal tool while still minimizing the overall size of the lint removal tool and excess material. In one embodiment, the wall thickness is generally between about 1 mm and about 3 mm, and particularly about 2 mm.

When the handle is in the extended position, as shown in FIG. 9, the housing is in an open position such that the inner cover is positioned within the outer cover and a portion of the lint removal tape positioned on the inner core is exposed. The user can then use the free end of the handle and roll the exposed lint removal tape on the surface to be cleaned. When the user is done using the lint removal tool, the user holds the outer cover and moves the handle upward into the inner assembly to the retracted position. When the handle is in the retracted position, as show in FIG. 10, the housing is in a closed position such that the inner cover is positioned opposite the outer cover and the lint removal tape is completely covered within the housing, protecting the lint removal tape from unintentionally picking up lint and other debris. In each of the extended and retracted positions, the handle can be mechanically locked in place when the protrusion at the receiving end of the outer cover engages with either the first notch or second notch. When the protrusion is engaged with the first notch located proximate the free end of the handle, the handle is locked in the retracted position, allowing the housing to remain closed and protect the lint removal tape within it. When the protrusion is engaged with the second notch located proximate the connecting end of the handle, the handle is locked in the extended position, allowing the housing to remain open and expose the lint removal tape for cleaning.

The present invention is a lint roller tool having an attached housing that allows for a convenient method of protecting exposed adhesive when the lint roller tool is not in use and is being stored. When the lint roller tool is to be used, the handle is in the extended position with the housing in an open position to expose the lint removal tape and allow for lint pick-up. When the lint removal tool is being stored, the handle is longitudinally actuated to the retracted position to rotate the inner cover 180 degrees so that the lint removal tape is covered and protected from debris.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the specific exemplary elements, structures, features, details, configurations, etc., that are disclosed herein can be modified and/or combined in numerous embodiments. The present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, any of the disclosed or recited elements. In particular, any of the elements that are positively recited in this specification as alternatives, may be explicitly included in the claims or excluded from the claims, in any combination as desired. All such variations and combinations are contemplated by the inventor as being within the bounds of the conceived invention, not merely those representative designs that were chosen to serve as exemplary illustrations. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the specific illustrative structures described herein, but rather extends at least to the structures described by the language of the claims, and the equivalents of those structures. To the extent that there is a conflict or discrepancy between this specification as written and the disclosure in any document incorporated by reference herein, this specification as written will control. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lint removal tool comprising: a handle having a free end and a connecting end; an inner assembly rotatably attached to the handle; an outer cover translationally attached to the handle, wherein the inner assembly rotates around an axis of the handle when the handle is longitudinally activated between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the outer cover.
 2. The lint removal tool of claim 1, wherein in the retracted position, at least a portion of the free end of the handle is positioned within the housing.
 3. The lint removal tool of claim 1, wherein in the retracted position, at least a portion of the free end of the handle is positioned within the inner assembly.
 4. The lint removal tool of claim 1, further comprising a roll of lint removal tape positioned on the inner assembly.
 5. The lint removal tool of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the lint removal tape is exposed when the handle is in the extended position.
 6. The lint removal tool of claim 1, wherein the inner assembly comprises: an inner cover; an inner core; and a sleeve.
 7. The lint removal tool of claim 6, wherein the sleeve is positioned within the inner core.
 8. The lint removal tool of claim 6, wherein the inner core is positioned within the inner cover.
 9. The lint removal tool of claim 1, wherein the connecting end of the handle includes a plurality of posts that engage with a plurality of helical ridges within the inner assembly.
 10. A lint removal tool comprising: a handle; an inner core; a sleeve; and a housing having an inner cover and an outer cover, wherein the outer cover is fixed relative to the handle, wherein the inner cover rotates around an axis of the handle when the handle is longitudinally activated between an extended position and a retracted position.
 11. The lint removal tool of claim 10, wherein in the retracted position, a majority of the handle is positioned within the housing.
 12. The lint removal tool of claim 10, wherein in the extended position, the housing is in an open position.
 13. The lint removal tool of claim 10, wherein in the retracted position, the housing is in a closed position.
 14. The lint removal tool of claim 10, further comprising a roll of lint removal tape positioned on the inner core, wherein the roll of lint removal tape is configured to be housed within the housing.
 15. The lint removal tool of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the lint removal tape is exposed when the handle is in the extended position.
 16. The lint removal tool of claim 14, wherein the lint removal tape is completely housed within the housing when the handle is in the retracted position.
 17. The lint removal tool of claim 10, wherein the outer cover has a diameter larger than a diameter of the inner cover such that the inner cover can nest within the outer cover.
 18. The lint removal tool of claim 10, wherein the sleeve is positioned within the inner core.
 19. The lint removal tool of claim 10, wherein the inner core is positioned within the inner cover.
 20. The lint removal tool of claim 10, wherein the handle includes a plurality of posts that engage with a plurality of helical ridges within the inner core. 